Group photo after the 2018 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic

The 2018 IKKU Iaido and Bokken Clinic occurred on April 28, 2018, hosted by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin at the American Legion Hall in Duluth, GA. The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. We would like to thank this local chapter for allowing us to utilize their facilities for IKKU events.

There was a good turnout with 26 participants for this special Iaido clinic. Participants gathered from across various IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union Dojos for the 1-day event. Dojo participation included Tora Shin Karate Kai, Keishin Karate Kai, Suansu Karate Kai, Kita Kaze Karate Kai, Robinson Karate Dojo & Yoga Center, and Ronin Bujutsu Kai. For over 30 years, we are proud to have Soke Joseph Ruiz, Hanshi-Sei and Founder of Kotosu-Ha Shito-Ryu and the International Karate Kobudo Union lends us his knowledge and expertise for such events.

Iaido Morning Session

During the early hours, participants with wooden bokken worked on Tachi Kaze Kata. This session was led by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, Chief Instructor of Keishin Karate Kai based out of Duluth, GA. Assisting Kyoshi-Sei Griffin was Shihan Dai Mike Hoffman, Chief Instructor of Kita Kaze Karate Kai out of Sugar Hill, GA.

Only after a practitioner reaches a certain level of proficiency and they have achieved a Brown Belt rank in Karate are they allowed to begin handling a live blade. The katana, being a live blade weapon demands much respect since it is such a dangerous weapon. One slip could literally cost someone a life or limb.

The Tachi Kaze Kata is a basic level Iaido Kata that focuses on cuts, footwork and general handling of the weapon. Participants worked this kata for the duration of the morning to ensure proper technique and memorization had occurred. In all, our Iaido art contains 5 full-length Kata following the Tachi Kaze Kata, Shodan – Godan.

Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin working Tachi Kaze Kata with the Bokken Group during the morning session

Hanshi Ron Downton, Chief Instructor of Tora Shin Karate Kai and Shihan Dai Mike Downton lead the live blade group on the main floor for the most part of the day with Soke Ruiz overseeing instruction. The Koga-Ryu Iaido system contains 20 cuts or Seitei Gata, as the whole of this art.  The live blade group worked approximately half of the Seitei Gata during the morning session. Participants were allowed to ask questions while Soke Ruiz answered and gave instruction during this session. Expertise levels of participants varied throughout the group from very proficient to novice, but as usual, the IKKU did a great job of teaching to all levels of practitioners.

Iaido Afternoon Session

During the afternoon sessions, the participants of the Bokken group started working partner bunkai drills. In this session, Bokken users begin to learn and simulate Iaido cuts on a live uke. This serves as the basis for these new level users while they begin to understand the application of cuts and just how much respect the katana demands.

The Live Blade Group jumped back in during the afternoon session and as the cuts progressed into more complicated combinations smaller groups began forming to drill earlier series of cuts. The main group with Hanshi Downton continued through the end of all 20 Seita Gata Cuts. During the later cuts both Katana and the shorter Wakizashi were utilized to finish out the day.

Group Iaido Cuts underway with Soke Ruiz closely watching

Wrapping Up

The 2018 IKKU Koga-Ryu Iaido and Bokken Clinic was a successful clinic with no injuries occurring. Not too bad of a record for the 100+ man-hours performed on the floor for the duration of the event. For those that missed this special clinic, I would recommend you plan to attend the next such event. The Katana is said to be the Soul of the Samurai, so by learning this art you truly are walking in the footsteps of those that came before. The Live Blade Class is something special that a practitioner of Japanese and Okinawan Arts should attend every time the opportunity arises.

Additional IKKU Information

The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union provides a very balanced approach towards Martial Arts as a whole. We provide empty hand Karate, Okinawan Kobudo, Japanese Iaido, and Katsu-Ryu Kempo with roots back to China. Becoming a well rounded martial artist is much more than learning just one art. Why limit yourself when the sky is the limit.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

To locate a participating IKKU Dojo near you Click Here –> IKKU Dojos

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IKKU group photo in front of the helicopter after a long day of Kobudo

2018 4th Annual IKKU Weapons Choice Clinic

The 2018 4th Annual IKKU Weapons Choice Clinic took place on February 24, 2018. This years venue was a special location at the American Legion Hall in Duluth, GA. The event was hosted by Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin, Chief Instructor of Keishin Karate Kai. As usual, this popular event attracted a big turn out of 45 attendees from 10 Dojos. Participants gathered from both Georgia and Florida for this educational day of learning.

This was the 4th successful themed clinic offered by the IKKU in recent years. The format of the clinic was based on a principle of sharing traditional kobudo knowledge without boundaries. Typically a student must show a certain amount of proficiency before being taught more advanced and dangerous weapon. However, this special event allows participants to choose the weapons of their preference. This is considered a paradigm shift from traditional teaching methodologies to earn this type of weapons exposure. Participants were allowed to move from one weapon group to another throughout the day. Sessions included Kobudo Anatomy, Basics, Bunkai, and Kata as part of the agenda.

Kobudo Clinic Morning Session

For the morning session participants choose to ban together to drill Bo Basics. Hanshi Ron Downton, Assistant Director of the IKKU and Chief Instructor of Tora Shin Karate Kai led the morning session and lent his kobudo expertise to the entire group. Soke Joseph Ruiz, Founder of the IKKUU, was present, overseeing the floor, answering questions, and lending his expertise to the group when needed. Following a vigorous Bo workout, the session then transitioned into partner drills. Live partner bunkai was taught that corresponded to our IKKU Bo Combination drills. This was a great session, with Hanshi Downton teaching the finer points of Bo Kobudo Application to the group.

The big group prepares for Bo Basics during the early hours

Kobudo Clinic Afternoon Sessions

The afternoon sessions progressed into smaller breakout groups, all focused on individual weapons. Bo, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Kama, Sai, and Eaku were all part of the event and nothing from the menu was omitted. With Basic Kihons and 18 Kata available to the group, everyone found something new and exciting to learn. With the vast amount of ad hoc instructors popping up all around, participants were able to practice one weapon and then move on to another in a sperate group. Small groups were worked both inside the facility and outside taking advantage of the warm February Georgia sun.

2018 Weapons Choice Kobudo Clinic Menu

Once again the IKKU has hosted this successful clinic with no injuries occurring. Not a bad record for the 225+ man/lady hours of weapons that were tallied for the duration of the event. The IKKU will certainly continue to hone and modify the clinic format in order to bring participants the very best in Traditional Okinawan and Japanese Martial Arts.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the Instructors who lent their time, knowledge and sweat to the participants in this endeavor of knowledge sharing. It is these type of leaders that help to make the IKKU such a strong organization. It is easy to see a little piece of Soke Ruiz in all these leaders.

Additional IKKU Information:

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

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Clinic participants are shown here performing Kabuki Sai

On Saturday, December 2, 2017, the International Karate Kobudo Union joined together for our annual 2017 IKKU Christmas Clinic and Celebration Dinner. The event was held in Dexter, GA and hosted by Kyoshi Kim Blue, Chief Instructor of Suansu Karate Kai. There was a good intimate turnout with approximately 26 attendees for the event. Participants gathered from across the Eastern U.S., including attendees from Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Maine. The IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union was represented with participants from 8 affiliated Dojos.

With the focus of this years Clinic being Kobudo, everyone armed themselves with Bo and Sai for the upcoming sessions.

Bo Shodan & Bo Nidan

Soke Ruiz showing Bo Bunkai during the Clinic

The morning session was comprised of multiple Bo Kata. Both Bo Shodan and Bo Nidan (also known as Tokumine No Kun) were taught and practiced intensively. For those that had previously been taught these kata, both were both fine-tuned with Soke’s oversight. Soke Ruiz and Hanshi Downton also spent time reviewing the Bunkai associated with these kobudo kata. Various Uke’s took their fair share of knocks and falls in sacrifice for the betterment of the group.

Participants that did not previously have these kata, broke away into smaller groups outside to drill their appropriate Bo Kata(s). As well, some participants spent time working Sai outside to take advantage of the spring-like unseasonal weather conditions. Kyoshi-Sei Larry Griffin invested the time in helping these Bo and Sai groups learn their applicable kata.

Kabuki Sai

The performing arts theater has been historically a very a popular entertainment event in Japan. Kabuki, like many Japanese and Okinawan Arts, has a rich history and traces its origins back to the early 1600s. During that time, the word Kabuki was translated as “unorthodox” or “eccentric”. Throughout the years the theater players were changed from young ladies to young boys and most recently, to groups of adult men which play both male and female parts of the show. Over time the original meaning of the word has evolved to become:  Ka (Song), Bu (Dance), Ki (Technique or Skill). Originally Kabuki was focused on short dances, but the art has now transformed into plays and dances, mostly set in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It’s not uncommon to see Kabuki theater performances of Samurai dueling in deadly fight scenes.

The story goes that Soke Shogo Kuniba upon watching a Kabuki Theatre performance admired a portion of the show which featured the Sai. His memory of the performance fueled his desire to develop a functional Sai Kata that mimicked the performance and could then be worked and taught to students. The kata has a memorable opening that mimics the lazy grasshopper stance from the Kabuki theater performance that Soke Shogo Kuniba attended. During the afternoon session of our clinic, Soke Ruiz taught this special kata entitled Kabuki Sai to a group of participants.

Please note that there is another Sai Kata named Namake Inago which formally translates to “Lazy Grasshopper”. Soke Richard Baillargeon taught this Sai kata to Seishin Kai Students back in the 60s. This is not the same kata, and should not be confused with Kabuki Sai. There is also an alternate spelling of Kabuki which is commonly spelled as Kubuki.

Additional IKKU Information

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-8 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors.

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2017 IKKU Fall Clinic Group Photo at Tora Shin Karate Kai – Hombu Dojo

The 2017 IKKU Fall Clinic was conducted Saturday, October 8, 2017, in Social Circle, GA. at Tora Shin Karate Kai. The clinic followed the 2017 IKKU Black Belt Test that was conducted earlier that same day. Both events were hosted by Hanshi Ron Downton at the IKKU Hombu Dojo. Participants from all around were represented with a total of 26 attendees and 10 Dojos for this special afternoon session.

Kensei Kata (拳生)

Soke Joe Ruiz reached into his bag of knowledge and offered the group a special high dan kata entitled Kensei. Typically reserved for Rokudans (6th Dan) and above, Soke opened his heart and shared the kata with our group. While researching the kata title you might encounter several different translations that aren’t applicable. Translations from Silent Kia to Sword Saint are frequent, but our kata takes a different direction. Our Kata uses the “Ken” from Kenpo and the “Sei” from Sensei to combine into the title Kensei. Our translation is simply known as “Fist Way” or “The Way of the Fist“.

Following the clinic, many high-level dans were requested onto the floor for a surprise round of Bunkai. Soke would call out a particular Bunkai Series for a chosen kata, and the selected High Dan would then execute the applicable technique in front of the group. It was fascinating to see these dans in action as they performed bunkai at the snap of a finger. Not knowing which kata or bunkai sequence would be called, it was almost like watching a live test. While watching the high dans execute, it was clear that the IKKU’s, Leadership, Karate, and Bunkai are second to none in the traditional martial arts circles.

Following the events of the day, it was then time to unwind and sit down with close friends for an evening of sharing and friendship. Closing out this special day of test, promotions, and knowledge gives us all time to reflect on where we came from and where we are on our own path. Although we all come from corners of the world, we have something in common that binds us eternally together; the art of the empty hand.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2018 IKKU Winter Camp. The event is scheduled January 12 – 14, 2018, in Carrollton, GA, hosted by Robinson Karate Dojo.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post 2017 IKKU Fall Clinic appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.

Group Photo from the 2017 Kyoshinkai Annual Group Seminar featuring Hanshi Lenny Jordan of the KYOSHINKAN and Soke Joseph Ruiz of the International Karate Kobudo Union.

The 2017 Kyoshinkai Annual Group Seminar and festivities occurred on Saturday, September 16th, 2017 at the ATCO Center in Cartersville, GA. This event was hosted by Hanshi Lenny Jordan, Founder of the KYOSHINKAN and provided instruction for adults, children, and teens. Participants for the event covered 5 states with 13 dojos being represented and included many senior level Sensei. The group was a collection of participants and dojos from both the KYOSHINKAN and the International Karate Kobudo Union.

Multiple empty hand kata with bunkai was taught in both the morning and afternoon session. Kobudo groups were also formed in the morning hours for those seeking specific weapon expertise with the highlight being the Eku Kata, Yamashita No Eku. Hanshi Lenny Jordan ran the morning sessions empty hand Karate and Kobudo classes. Hanshi Jordan taught Shorin-Ryu empty hand kata and bunkai to the group and provided explanation and comparisons vs the traditional Shotokan style. For Kobudo, some students worked in small groups with Tonfa inside the center. For the Eku Kata, Yamashita No Eku, the class was run outside the center in the parking lot to allow for plenty of room for Eku and Bo. The Eku kata was developed by Hanshi Yamashita and Hanshi Matayoshi.

The afternoon session featured Soke Joseph Ruiz, 10th Dan and Founder of both the Kotosu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do System and the International Karate Kobudo Union.  For Soke Ruiz’s session, Neiseishi Kata or “24 Steps” was the focus. Nisheishi, which is the Chinese name of the kata, is the equivalent of the Japanese Kata Nijushiho. Soke Ruiz was able to trace Niseishi kata back to its original Chinese roots and so it is included as a 3rd Dan requirement in the IKKU. Soke Ruiz spent time teaching the formal movement of the kata as well as provide the applicable bunkai to the group at large.

Following the events of the day, the group retired to a local Pizzeria to cool off and bond with new friends. Kicking back and reflecting on the day’s events is a tradition that continues since the days of Motobu, Chibana, Mabuni, and Funakoshi. Two organizations coming together to share knowledge and friendship is what traditional karate is all about. Exposure to a style unlike your own is a way to open your mind to new ideas and techniques while giving you a fresh perspective on the arts as a whole. The great masters of the past took time to network, break bread together and even share an occasional toast. We should continue this practice and honor where our traditional martial art roots began.

That is a wrap from the 2017 Kyoshinkai Annual Group Seminar and we look forward to what collaborative events can be forged together in 2018.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our next upcoming event which is the 2017 IKKU Christmas Clinic and Celebration. The event is scheduled December 2, 2017, in Dexter, GA, hosted by Suansu Karate Kai at the Estate of Kyoshi Kim Blue.

For information about joining the IKKU – International Karate Kobudo Union then please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, founder of the IKKU and other High Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.

The post 2017 Kyoshinkai Annual Group Seminar appeared first on INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO UNION.